Chain saw mounting device

ABSTRACT

A chain saw mounting device for mounting a chain saw on an object, such as a motor vehicle tail gate. The device includes a base, mechanism for detachably coupling the base to an object, and mechanism for detachably coupling the chain saw to the frame including a laterally opening pocket for receiving rear portion of the chain saw, and a forwardly opening pocket portion for receiving a forward portion of the chain saw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for detachably mounting a chain saw on an object and more particularly to apparatus for positioning a chain saw for improved access during starting.

2. Description of Prior Art and Advantages

A typical chain saw includes a forward blade attached to the front of an engine housing, a rear hollow “trigger” handle which is attached to the rear of the engine housing and includes upper and lower spaced apart legs. The chain saw typically also includes a forward, generally vertical, handle disposed between the blade and the rear handle for carrying or holding the chain saw.

Chain saw engines, particularly with aging, can be difficult to start. Sometimes, the user will hold a chain saw in one hand and pull the starting rope with the other hand. This can be particularly difficult and dangerous for users who are slight of build.

Some users will start the chain saw by placing the saw on the ground, inserting a foot into the rear hollow trigger handle and stepping on the lower leg thereof, and concurrently pressing downwardly on the forward handle with one hand while pulling the starting rope with the opposite hand. This procedure requires the user to bend over and many users find such bending difficult. According to the present invention, it has been found advantageous to securely mount the chain saw in spaced relation with the ground level prior to starting. The apparatus constructed according to the present invention is particularly adapted to mount a chain saw on an object such as the tailgate of a truck. In remote areas, the apparatus constructed according to the present invention, can mount a chain saw to a log or a felled tree. The apparatus constructed according to the present invention mounts the chain saw so that it is also upwardly forwardly inclined and laterally downwardly inclined in a direction towards the user so that the chain saw engine starting rope will be more readily accessible.

The apparatus constructed according to the present invention comprises a pair of pocket forming retaining members which detachably slidably receive longitudinally spaced portions of the chain saw and detachably hold the chain saw in position during the starting operation and/or for storage, if desired. The device further contemplates longitudinally spaced, adjustable clamps which can clamp to forward and rearward edges of the tail gate as well as coupling straps which can attach to the base and also secure the chain saw to the base.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A chain saw mounting bracket for detachably mounting a chain saw to an object comprising: a base having forward and rearward ends spanned by lateral sides; a first rearwardly disposed, laterally extending chain saw retaining device mounted on the base and forming a laterally opening, open ended pocket for detachably receiving a rear portion of the chain saw; and a second forwardly disposed, longitudinally extending chain saw retaining device, mounted on the base forwardly of said first retaining device, forming a forwardly opening, open ended pocket for detachably receiving a forward portion of the chain saw.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view from one side of a chain saw mounting device constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view from the same side of the chain saw mounting device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front end elevational view, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a rear end elevational view, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating a chain saw mounted on the chain saw mounting device illustrated in FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view thereof, similar to FIG. 3 illustrating a chain saw mounted on the chain saw mounting device illustrated in FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view from the opposite side of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged, sectional side elevational view of the chain saw device illustrated in FIG. 9 mounted on a motor vehicle tail gate which is illustrated in section;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the chain saw mounting device constructed according to the present invention with the rear end clamp removed, mounted on a log;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view taken from the right end of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A chain saw mounting bracket, generally designated 10, constructed according to the present invention is particularly adapted for mounting a chain saw, generally designated 12, to an object such as a motor vehicle tail gate 14 having a free terminal rear end 20 and hinged forward end 18 hingedly mounted on the bed 16 of a motor vehicle.

The mounting bracket 10 includes a main frame or base, generally designated 22, mounting a sub-frame or sub-base 24 thereon. The main frame includes a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending L-shaped lateral side channels or bars 26 and 28 spanned by front and rear, laterally extending, L-shaped end channels or cross bars 30 and 32, respectively. The front ends of the lateral side bars 26 and 28 include integral, depending L-shaped stationary clamps or hooks 34 and 36, respectively, which are received in the gap 38 between the forward tail gate end 18 and the truck bed 16 and then slid rearwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 10 receiving the hinged forward tail gate end 18.

The rear end L-shaped cross bar 32 includes a horizontally extending leg 39 and an upstanding leg 41 which has an aperture therethrough aligned with the threaded nut opening of a threaded nut 40 welded or otherwise secured thereto. The nut 40 adjustably, threadedly receives a threaded bolt 42 which is also slidably received in an opening through the upper mounting end 44 of a rear clamp 46 which is adapted to clampingly receive the rear terminal tail gate end 20. The bolt 42 can be longitudinally adjusted to urge the moveable clamp 46 and the opposite stationary clamps 34 and 36 toward each other and to hold the clamps 34, 36 and 46 in the tail gate mounting positions illustrated in FIG. 10.

The sub-frame 24 includes front and rear chain saw retaining members 52 and 54, respectively, for detachably coupling the chain saw 12 to the base 22. The chain saw 12 is illustrated as including an engine housing 56 mounting a hollow rear trigger handle, generally designated 58, a longitudinally forwardly extending chain saw blade 60, and a forward laterally extending carrying handle 62. The rear trigger handle 58 includes upper and lower bars 59 and 61 which define a trigger handle opening 63 into which an engine operating trigger 65 is moveably disposed, as usual. The front carrying handle 62 may suitably have a cylindrical cross section and includes an upper cross bar hand grip 66 coupled to a pair of vertical side bars 67 which are provided with lower, laterally inwardly projecting, offset stub shaft ends 68 that are coupled to laterally opposite sides of the engine housing 56.

The front chain saw retainer 52 includes a generally inverted U-shaped plate 70 having an upper chain saw supporting base 71 spanning an upstanding legs 72 and 73, coupled to the lateral side members 26 and 28, respectively. As illustrated, the leg 72 is somewhat longer than the leg 73 such that the upper base 71 is laterally upwardly inclined in a direction from the lateral side member 28 to the opposite long leg 72 and lateral side 26.

Welded, or otherwise suitably fixed to the upper surface 74 of the base 71, adjacent the lateral side frame member 28 and leg 73, is a cantileverly supported, longitudinally forwardly extending chain saw retaining finger F having a lower end 75 fixed to the base 71 and an upper longitudinally forwardly offset terminal end 76 cantileverly supported, in spaced relation with the surface 74, to define a forwardly opening, open ended pocket 77 for slidably detachably receiving and retaining the laterally offset, stub shaft portion 68 of the forward carrying handle 62 adjacent the shorter leg 73.

The rear chain saw retainer 54 includes an inverted, generally U-shaped plate, generally designated 80, including a laterally extending chain saw supporting base 81, spanning the laterally spaced apart upstanding legs 82 and 83 which are also coupled to the side frame members 26 and 28, respectively. As illustrated, the leg 82 is longer than the leg 83 so that the laterally disposed base 81 is upwardly inclined in a direction from shorter leg 83 and side frame member 28 toward leg 82 and opposite side frame member 26. A rearward, chain saw retainer finger or strap 86 is welded at its lower end to the upper surface 87 of the base 81 and includes a cantileverly supported, transversely extending terminal end 88 which is spaced from the surface 87 by a gap that forms a laterally opening open ended pocket 89 for receiving and retaining the lower longitudinally extending leg 81 of the trigger handle 58.

It should be noted that the legs 72 and 73 of the front chain saw retainer 72 are longer than the legs 82 and 83, respectively, of the rear chain saw retainer 54 so that the front chain saw supporting base 71 is at a higher level than the level of the rear retainer chain saw supporting base 81 relative to the main frame 22. In this way, the upper chain saw support surfaces 74 and 87 of chain saw retaining members 52 and 53, respectively, provide upwardly forwardly inclined support surfaces, lying in a plane P, which dispose the chain saw 12 in the forwardly upwardly inclined plane P relative to the plane P1 of the frame 22. The plane P is also laterally upwardly inclined in a direction from lateral side 28 to lateral side 26 as illustrated in FIG. 4. If desired, the U-shaped frame members 70 and 80 can be detachably or adjustably coupled for longitudinal and vertical displacement relative to the side bars 26 and 28 to accommodate chain saws of differing dimensions.

A longitudinally extending tie down strap 90, including a racheting device 92, has one end 93 coupled to a hasp 94 on the rear clamp 46 and an opposite end 95 provided with a hook 96 thereon that can be detachably coupled to a hasp H provided on the front cross bar 30.

A second laterally disposed frame tie down strap 97 (FIG. 11) can be coupled between the hasps 98 and 99 projecting laterally outwardly from the opposite frame legs 26 and 28, respectively. If desired, yet another laterally disposed chain saw tie down strap 100 may be utilized to secure the chain saw 12 to the frame 22. The strap 100 has one end 102 coupled to a hasp 104 on the lateral leg 26 and an opposite end 106 mounting a hook 107 which detachably clamps to the top of the engine compartment 56 to aid in holding the saw 10 to the tail gate 14.

In FIGS. 11-13, the chain saw mounting bracket 10 is illustrated as being mounted on a log or felled tree 20A via the laterally extending strap 97 which passes beneath the log 20A and has opposite ends tightly coupled to the side frame members 26 and 28. The stationary clamps 36 and 38 help laterally stabilize the bracket 10 on the leg 20A.

The Operation and Method

The chain saw mounting bracket 10 is disposed above the tail gate 14 and then lowered so that the front clamps 34 and 36 are received in the gap 38 and then moved rearwardly so as to fit over the front tail gate end 18 toward the position illustrated in FIG. 10. The bolt 42 of the opposite clamp 46, which is initially untightened so as to allow the clamp 46 to freely move downwardly over the tail gate end 20, is longitudinally retightened to urge the clamp 46, and the opposite stationarily mounted clamps 34 and 36, toward each other to the clamping positions illustrated in FIG. 10.

The chain saw 12 is then disposed on the mounting bracket by laterally moving the lower bar or rear handle 58 into the laterally opening side slot or pocket 89 formed by the finger 86 while rearwardly moving the chain saw 12 until the laterally inwardly offset handle end 68 adjacent the side bar 28 is snugly received within the forwardly opening pocket 77 of the forwardly extending finger 75. If desired, the frame tie down straps 90 and 97 may be detachably coupled in the positions illustrated in FIG. 10 to aid in securing the frame 22 to the tail gate. In addition, the engine tie down strap 100 can be utilized to couple the chain saw 12 to the mounting bracket 10 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A chain saw mounting bracket for detachably mounting a chain saw to an object; said chain saw including a rearward portion including a trigger handle provided with vertically spaced upper and lower handle portions, a forward longitudinally extending cutter bar, and a forward portion including a transversely extending forward handle; said chain saw mounting bracket comprising: a base having forward and rearward ends and lateral sides; means for detachably coupling said base to the object; and forward and rearward, laterally inclined, chain saw retaining means, provided on said base with chain saw support surfaces which are disposed in an upward and forward direction relative to said base for detachably receiving and storing the forward and rearward portions, respectively, of the chain saw.
 2. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for detachably coupling said base to the object comprises longitudinally spaced apart front and rear clamp members adjustably mounted on said forward and rearward ends for movement relative to each other between remote, non-clamping positions and clamping positions detachably clamped to the object.
 3. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 1 wherein said rearward chain saw retaining means comprises a rearward, laterally extending support surface which is upwardly inclined in a direction from one of said lateral sides toward the other of said lateral sides, and a retainer finger having a lower end mounted on said rearward support surface; and an opposite, cantileverly supported, laterally offset free end spaced from said rearward support surface to form a laterally outwardly opening pocket for detachably receiving and storing the rearward portion of the chain saw.
 4. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 3 wherein said forward chain saw retaining means comprises a forward laterally extending support surface which is upwardly inclined in a direction from said one lateral side toward said other of said lateral sides; said forward support surface being at a level higher than the level of said rearward support surface relative to said base.
 5. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 4 wherein said forward chain saw retaining means comprises a forward finger having a lower end mounted on said forward support surface and an opposite cantileverly supported, longitudinally forwardly offset, free terminal end spaced from said forward support surface to define a forwardly opening, pocket for receiving the forward portion of the chain saw.
 6. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 5 wherein said forward finger is mounted on said forward support surface adjacent said one lateral side.
 7. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for detachably coupling said base to the object comprises at least one flaccid strap adjustably coupled to said base; and further including strap means for detachably securing the chain saw to the base.
 8. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 4 wherein said rearward laterally extending support surface and said forward laterally extending support surface are each forwardly upwardly inclined and lie in the same plane.
 9. A chain saw mounting bracket for detachably mounting a chain saw to an object; said chain saw including a rearward portion including a trigger handle provided with vertically spaced upper and lower handle portions, a forward longitudinally extending cutter bar, and a forward portion including transversely extending forward handle; said chain saw mounting bracket comprising: a base having forward and rearward ends and lateral sides; means for detachably coupling said base to the object; and forward and rearward chain saw mounting members which are inclined relative to said base to mount the chain saw in a plane which is laterally upwardly inclined relative to said base in a direction from one of said lateral sides toward the other of said lateral sides and which is also upwardly inclined in a forward direction.
 10. A chain saw mounting bracket for detachably mounting a chain saw to an object; said chain saw including a rearward trigger handle provided with vertically spaced upper and lower handle portions, a forward longitudinally extending cutter bar, and a transversely extending forward handle; said chain saw mounting bracket comprising: a base having forward and rearward ends and lateral sides; means for detachably coupling said base to the object; and a rearward chain saw mounting retainer on said base for detachably receiving said lower handle portion, a forwardly disposed chain saw mounting retainer on said base for detachably receiving a portion of the transversely disposed forward handle.
 11. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 10 wherein said rearward chain saw mounting retainer and said forwardly disposed chain saw mounting retainer include upper support surfaces which are laterally upwardly inclined in a direction from one of said lateral sides toward the other of said lateral sides.
 12. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 10 wherein said upper support surfaces of said forwardly disposed chain saw retainer are forwardly upwardly disposed relative to said rearward chain saw mounting retainer.
 13. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 10 wherein said upper support surface of said forwardly disposed chain saw mounting retainer is at a higher level relative to said base than the level of said rearward chain saw mounting member relative to said base.
 14. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 11 wherein said rearward chain saw mounting retainer includes a laterally outwardly opening pocket which laterally outwardly opens in a direction toward said other of said laterally opposite sides.
 15. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 14 wherein said rearward chain saw mounting retainer includes a laterally extending finger having one end fixed to said upper surface of said rearward chain saw retainer and an opposite offset, cantileverly supported free end spaced from said upper of said rearward chain saw retainer surface to define a pocket for laterally receiving the lower handle portion.
 16. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 14 wherein said forward chain saw mounting retainer includes a forwardly extending finger having a rear end fixed to said upper surface of said forward chain saw retainer and a cantileverly supported forward, terminal end cantileverly supported in spaced relation with said upper surface of said forward chain saw retainer to form a forwardly opening pocket for detachably receiving a portion of the forward handle.
 17. A chain saw mounting bracket for detachably mounting a chain saw to an object comprising: a base having forward and rearward ends spanned by lateral sides; means for detachably coupling said base to the object; a first rearwardly disposed, laterally extending chain saw retaining device mounted on said base and forming a laterally opening, open ended pocket for detachably receiving a rear portion of the chain saw; and a second forwardly disposed, longitudinally extending, chain saw retaining device mounted on said base forwardly of said first chain saw retaining device and forming a forwardly opening, open ended pocket for detachably receiving a forward portion of the chain saw.
 18. The bracket set forth in claim 17 wherein said first retaining device comprises a finger having one end fixed to said base and an opposite end, laterally offset relative to said one end, spaced from said base to define said laterally extending open ended pocket for detachably receiving the forward portion of the chain saw.
 19. The bracket set forth in claim 17 wherein said second retaining device comprises a first end fixed to said base and a second, longitudinally forwardly offset, cantileverly supported terminal end disposed in spaced relation with said base to define said forwardly opening, open ended pocket for detachably receiving the forward portion of the chain saw.
 20. The bracket set forth in claim 19 wherein said base includes a first main frame generally lying in a predetermined plane and a second sub-frame, mounted on said main frame, for mounting said one end of said finger and said first end of said second retaining device in spaced relation with said first main frame.
 21. The bracket set forth in claim 20 wherein said second sub-frame includes rearward and forward saw support members which are laterally inclined relative to said base.
 22. The bracket set forth in claim 17 wherein said rearward retainer member is spaced from said base a predetermined distance and said forward retainer is spaced a greater predetermined distance from said base.
 23. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and second chain saw retaining devices comprise: longitudinally spaced apart, rearward and forward, generally inverted U-shaped straps, respectively, each having an upper sub-base spanning a pair of laterally spaced apart upstanding legs which are coupled to said laterally opposite sides of said base; said first chain saw retaining device including rear pocket forming means, fixed to said upper sub-base of said rearward strap, forming said laterally opening, open ended pocket for detachably laterally receiving the rear portion of the chain saw; said second chain saw retaining device including forward pocket forming means, fixed to said upper sub-base of said forward strap, forming said forwardly opening, open ended pocket for detachably longitudinally receiving the forward portion for said chain saw.
 24. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 23 wherein said upper sub-bases are each upwardly inclined relative to said base in a direction from one of said lateral sides toward the other of said lateral sides.
 25. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 24 wherein said longitudinally forward pocket forming means is disposed on said sub-base of said forward strap adjacent said one lateral side.
 26. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 25 wherein said rear pocket forming means comprises a finger mounted on said upper sub-base of said rearward strap; said finger including a laterally offset, cantileverly supported terminal end spaced from said sub-base to define said laterally opening, open-ended pocket.
 27. The chain saw mounting bracket set forth in claim 26 wherein said base lies in a first predetermined plane, said sub-base of said rearward strap and said sub-base of said forward strap lie in a second plane forwardly upwardly relative to said first plane. 